Dear Parents and Carers,

This past Sunday, we celebrated Pentecost, one of the most significant events in the liturgical calendar. Pentecost marks the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to speak in many languages and to go forth and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. It was the beginning of the Church’s mission to the world.

For us, Pentecost is not merely a historical event; it is a living reminder that the Holy Spirit remains present and active in our lives today. The gifts of the Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge and piety, are vital to our mission as a Catholic school. These gifts help guide our decisions, shape our relationships, and inspire our efforts to nurture faith-filled learners and compassionate citizens.

In this spirit, we are deeply committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment, where each student is supported in becoming the very best version of themselves—academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. One of the key ways we do this is through our whole-school approach to positive behaviour.

Our shared expectations across all areas of school life are:

• Be Respectful – treating others with kindness, listening to others, and valuing everyone’s voice
  
  
• Be Responsible – making good choices, owning our actions, and doing our best
  
  
• Be Safe – Caring for ourselves and others, and considering the impact of our actions.
  
  
• Be a Learner – staying curious, working hard, and embracing challenges.

These values are explicitly taught, modelled, and reinforced by all staff. They are supported by consistent language, clear expectations, and positive relationships, all of which are grounded in our Catholic identity and Gospel values.

When students live up to these expectations, they not only grow as learners but also develop as people of faith, capable of demonstrating love, empathy, and integrity in a complex world.

I am also pleased to share that this week, we welcomed Dorothy Thomas to our staff in the role of Classroom Relief Teacher (CRT). Dorothy brings with her a passion for teaching and a commitment to nurturing students with care and patience. She will be a valued presence in our learning spaces and a great support to both staff and students.

As we continue through this term, let us be inspired by the courage of the apostles at Pentecost. May we, too, be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our school community—guiding our words, our actions, and the way we love and serve one another.

Maria

TERM 2 2025

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

We hope you have a wonderful day. 

MIDDLE CLASSROOM

In this middle classroom this week, the students were working on their character strengths and individuality, exploring how we all share the same sky despite our differences.

This idea was based on a book that the students are reading called "Who You Were Meant To Be."

Mental Health and Wellbeing News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Winter is upon us, and the days are getting very cold. It can sometimes be hard to stay motivated when the weather is so bleak. Consciously noticing the world around you can help bring you back to the present, especially when you’re overwhelmed by stress or emotion. You can practice noticing five things you see, hear or feel through touch to help you be present.

Here are some ways to help you be mindful and continue to practise gratitude with your children.

1. Go for a mindful walk/cycle: Set yourself a simple challenge, to be more aware on your outing. What can you hear? Can you spot any animals or creatures along the way? Take note of the colours all around you. Can you find any natural resources to do some crafting with later?
   
2. Do some baking: Baking can be a great way to spend time together. You could make a whole morning out of it. Why not research some recipes, make a list of ingredients, gather all the equipment and share the jobs. Comfort food is so good at this time of year.
3. Crafting: This doesn’t need to be complicated. Grab a piece of paper and some pencils, play some interesting music, use things you found on your walk to create a collage or picture. 
   
4. Set up a Mindful area at home: This can be so simple yet so effective! Why not make it a family challenge. Decide on a safe place to make your mindful area. This could be in the hallway, corner of the living room or somewhere which suits you best. How will you transform it into a mindful area? You could make a sign for the wall and allocate a cushion or a blanket for sitting on. Set aside a moment each day to pause and practise mindful breathing in your special area. This could even be a cosy spot to read, mindful colouring is a great quiet activity.

5: Games: Try playing this as a game with your child. Sit down with them wherever you are and tell them you want to show them the “notice five things” game. Then look around and tell them five things you see. Let them have a turn. After you play, explain that this can be a helpful game to play, with you or by themselves, if they’re ever feeling anxious or upset. Mix it up sometimes and notice five things you hear instead.

If you would like further information/ideas or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Deb Owens

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader